Peter Ackroyd, a prominent textile consultant and advocate for the wool industry, has died at the age of 76. Throughout his career, Ackroyd was a leading figure in promoting wool as a natural, renewable, and biodegradable fibre, emphasizing its role in a sustainable future for textiles.

Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to Phyllis (nee Sykes) and Robert Ackroyd, Peter was raised in a family deeply connected to the wool industry. His father was managing director of Carter & Parker, a Guiseley-based woollen mill known for the Wendy Wools and Peter Pan brands. Ackroyd was educated at Woodhouse Grove School and later studied textiles marketing through a scholarship at Courtaulds from 1969 to 1972, followed by a year at Bradford Technical College, where he also learned Italian.

Ackroyd began his professional journey at Courtaulds, focusing on business development and international markets, including representing the company’s interests in France. In 1974, he joined the National Wool Textile Export Corporation (NWTEC) in Bradford as marketing manager and was promoted to director general in 1993, a position he held until NWTEC’s closure in 2008. In recognition of his contributions to the textiles industry, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2006.

His involvement expanded internationally when he joined the executive committee of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) in 2004. Ackroyd served as IWTO president from 2011 to 2019, continued as a board member until 2023, and remained a special adviser until 2026. Concurrently, he operated his own textile consultancy and was a senior adviser to Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and the Woolmark Company, working to develop global strategies for the wool sector.

In addition to his consultancy work, Ackroyd played a significant role in consumer engagement through the Campaign for Wool, an initiative launched in 2009 to educate the public about the benefits of wool. He served as chief operating officer of the campaign from its inception and became its chair in 2025.

A lifelong resident of Saltaire, Ackroyd was widely regarded as a passionate ambassador for Bradford and the Yorkshire region. Colleagues praised his knowledge, commitment, and optimism about the future of wool. He is survived by his partner, Beverley Craig.